Eddie Castro off mounts

[pointman]

Castro taken off all mounts today at Belmont for failing breathalyzer. Incredible.

[pointman]

Grening now tweeting that Castro did not violate alcohol rules but was taken off mounts by stewards as it their discretion.

When does this stop being shocking and start being part of tradition?

[Alan07]

Originally Posted by helicopter11

When does this stop being shocking and start being part of tradition?

Hasn't this always been tradition (drunk jockeys), just only noticed more with breathalyzer tests within the last 10 years?

[Kasept]

This has turned out to be a complete prevarication.

[Nosigar]

Originally Posted by Kasept

This has turned out to be a complete prevarication.

I see what you mean....

Definition of PREVARICATE

: to deviate from the truth : equivocate

[Kasept]

Mike Gonzalez, Eddie Castro's agent of 11 years, explained what transpired: Castro came back from his Keeneland Thurs/Fri trip sick. He rode Saturday and then took medications including Nyquil overnight. While he did register a reading when taking the breathalyzer, he didn't fail it.

Stewards believed it best that he take off mounts Sunday, so he caught an early flight to Florida to spend 3 days with his wife and family. Since in the twitterverse and on the internet, spewing rumors and innuendo takes precedent over accuracy, no one bothered to actually ask Gonzalez to get details before circulating the failed breathalyzer story.

Eddie Castro is probably the second-to-last guy in the jock's room anyone needs to worry about arriving sober for work. No suspension. No fine. He rides Wednesday. Where he goes to get his reputation back, I'm not sure.

[djw]

This story reminds me of something I take very seriously when speaking in public about people: Ray Donovan was Reagan’s first Secretary of Labor. He served 4 years. In 1987 he was indicted on larceny. When he and all the defendants were acquitted, he uttered the famous line "Which office do I go to get my reputation back?"

We are now in an age where it is easy to sit, type, and snipe; facts and fairness be damned. I was and am still a card carrying member of the Democratic Party and still think of that man and that moment every time something like this happens. Once in a while, maybe should check for facts before piling on.

Sorry, folks, when people get indicted, it is on Page 1, when they are found innocent or acquitted, many times it is on Page 5. Any apology, if it is forth coming at all, is in smaller type than the results from Monticello in the Daily News on Page 65 below the crossword puzzle answers.

Be careful. Be fair.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Since in the twitterverse and on the internet, spewing rumors and innuendo takes precedent over accuracy,

From Grening's DRF piece:

Initially, a spokesman for the New York State Racing and Wagering Board said that Castro failed a Breathalyzer test.

That looks like inaccuracy right there. Obviously 3 sources for sound journalism, but whatever.

These alcohol overages by jockeys are non-stories anyway. Who cares? If they're over the limit, just take them off their mounts and fine them.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

From Grening's DRF piece: That looks like inaccuracy right there. Obviously 3 sources for sound journalism, but whatever.

These alcohol overages by jockeys are non-stories anyway. Who cares? If they're over the limit, just take them off their mounts and fine them.

The Grening piece came as a clarification well after an initial set of salvos were fired off from several quarters. Agree that the focus on taking jocks off under these kinds of scenarios is silly and sensationalized. What was unbelievable about this was that anyone who knows Castro even a bit should have been incredulous about his coming in over a limit.